Iran Appoints New Chief Of Armed Forces

Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has appointed a Revolutionary Guard general as the chief of staff of the country’s armed forces.

Khamenei, who is commander-in-chief of the armed forces, issued a decree on his official website (khamenei.ir) on June 28 appointing Mohammad Baqeri to the post and also praising the general’s “worthy services” during Iran's 1980-1988 war with Iraq.

Iranian state media said that Baqeri, 55, has been working in Khatam al-Anbia Headquarters, the engineering arm of the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) that serves to help the guard generate income and fund its operations.

Baqeri replaces Hassan Firouzabadi, who has been appointed the top military aide to the commander-in-chief.